Athletic Trainer Salary in Colorado: $67,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 32 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $67,639/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,418 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Arvada ($67,217), Thornton ($66,676), Westminster ($66,013).
In 2026, the average median salary for athletic trainers in Colorado is projected to be $67,639, which is 3.4% higher than the national median of $65,415. The salary range among the cities in Colorado shows notable differences; for instance, Arvada leads with a salary of $70,329, while Golden has the lowest projected salary at $63,218, resulting in a gap of $7,111. This disparity can be attributed to various factors such as cost of living, demand for trainers in different regions, and the level of athletic programs available in each city. Colorado's landscape for athletic trainers is influenced by specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect employment opportunities and salary levels. The job market for athletic trainers is strengthening, with a projected growth rate of 4.63% annually. This growth is driven by an increasing awareness of sports health and safety, as well as the rising need for healthcare professionals in educational institutions and recreational facilities. Overall, the projected salaries and growth reflect a favorable outlook for athletic trainers in the state, particularly in metropolitan areas like Arvada, Thornton, and Westminster, where demand for their expertise is expected to remain high.
Colorado Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $40,115 (lowest entry-level) to $112,258 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado athletic trainers earn 3.40% more than the national median (+$2,224/year difference).
Colorado Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Colorado range from $50,152 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $99,374 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,639. The Colorado median is $2,224 above the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $32.52/hr. Approximately 695 athletic trainers are employed across 32 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,224
2025 BLS Actual
$64,646
2026 Current Est.
$67,639
2019–2027 Growth
+40.9%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,224 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,202 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,432 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,063 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,018 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,538 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,646 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 28.7% from $50,224 (2019) to $64,646 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,547 (40.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Golden | $63,218 |
| Evans | $63,611 |
| Louisville | $63,983 |
| Durango | $64,360 |
| Steamboat Springs | $64,768 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arvada | $70,329 | 105 | $66,980 |
| Colorado Springs | $67,413 | 100.707 | $66,940 |
| Thornton | $69,763 | 105 | $66,441 |
| Westminster | $69,069 | 105 | $65,780 |
| Pueblo | $69,064 | 105 | $65,775 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,152 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,639 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $99,374 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 32 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arvada | $70,329 |
| 2 | Thornton | $69,763 |
| 3 | Westminster | $69,069 |
| 4 | Pueblo | $69,064 |
| 5 | Lakewood | $68,737 |
| 6 | Centennial | $68,189 |
| 7 | Greeley | $68,176 |
| 8 | Boulder | $68,125 |
| 9 | Parker | $68,083 |
| 10 | Fort Collins | $68,054 |
| 11 | Erie | $67,960 |
| 12 | Windsor | $67,790 |
| 13 | Castle Rock | $67,659 |
| 14 | Broomfield | $67,637 |
| 15 | Longmont | $67,615 |
| 16 | Denver | $67,570 |
| 17 | Colorado Springs | $67,413 |
| 18 | Englewood | $67,096 |
| 19 | Commerce City | $66,630 |
| 20 | Lafayette | $66,472 |
| 21 | Loveland | $66,369 |
| 22 | Wheat Ridge | $66,090 |
| 23 | Aurora | $66,086 |
| 24 | Brighton | $65,471 |
| 25 | Littleton | $65,252 |
| 26 | Fountain | $65,215 |
| 27 | Northglenn | $65,151 |
| 28 | Steamboat Springs | $64,768 |
| 29 | Durango | $64,360 |
| 30 | Louisville | $63,983 |
| 31 | Evans | $63,611 |
| 32 | Golden | $63,218 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Colorado?
How does Colorado athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Colorado?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
Written by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in athletic training. She specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has worked at several high schools and collegiate athletic programs.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 athletic trainer compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 32 metro areas — larger metro areas with more athletic trainerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for athletic trainers (SOC 29-9091).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov